From Aerospace Engineer to Corporate Pilot: My Journey Through the Skies
When I was a kid, I had my heart set on becoming an Aerospace Engineer. I spent hours reading about spacecraft, rockets, and the latest technology in aviation. But all that changed when I had the chance to ride in an experimental plane at 15. The moment that engine roared to life and the plane lifted off the ground, I realized that my dream had shifted in an instant. Fast forward seven years, and here I am: flying a jet across the country, living a new dream in the aviation world.
But the path to where I am today wasn’t as clear-cut as you might think. Coming from a non-aviation family, everything about this career was uncharted territory. What I learned along the way, from flight training in a small Colorado airport to becoming a corporate pilot, changed my view on aviation—and my life—forever.
Taking Flight: The Early Years
Growing up in Colorado, my flight training started at Longmont Municipal Airport, a small uncontrolled airport against the Rockies. I trained at a Part 91 flight school, where the training wasn’t a rubric but structured around your needs. After earning my private, instrument, and commercial ratings, I realized that becoming a Flight Instructor wasn’t the path I wanted to take. I needed to be in the air, flying, and logging those crucial hours.
That’s when I landed my first job flying Skydivers. Most pilots start as instructors, but I went the more unconventional route, “jumping” straight into the world of single-pilot operations. It was a perfect way to build hours, being at only 275 hours my options were limited. What better plan is there than to strap a parachute to my back as a 19-year-old and have people jump out of a “perfectly good” airplane?
Shifting Perspectives: Aerial Surveys and Contract Pilot
At the time, my goal was simple: build hours and become an airline pilot. But life—and aviation—had other plans. After my skydiving gig, I started flying aerial survey flights in twin-piston planes. It was a job I never expected to love, but it completely changed my perspective on aviation. I had the freedom to fly across the country, sometimes internationally, exploring new landscapes, meeting other pilots, and learning about myself being alone for hours at 12,000 ft.
What really caught my attention, though, were the Corporate Pilots I met along the way. The variety of different pilots at FBOs was astonishing, some wore a polo with slacks and others had on the full flight uniform. The more I saw, the more I realized this was a version of flying I hadn’t even considered but could see myself in.
Landing the Dream Job: Corporate Aviation
With a renewed sense of direction, I started applying to charter companies, eager to break into corporate aviation. It was a frustrating process discussing my age and flight hours with flight departments before I got an opportunity to fly a Citation XLS for a charter company. It felt like everything had come full circle—from that first experimental plane ride to sitting in the cockpit of a sleek, high-performance jet.
Now, every day is an adventure. I fly executives, CEOs, and other elite individuals to meetings, events, and getaways across the country and beyond. I’ve learned that corporate aviation offers a unique combination of freedom and responsibility. Each flight brings a new destination, a new challenge, and a new connection. It’s not just flying—it’s about making sure the people I fly have the best experience and arrive at their destination in style and comfort.
Determination
Looking back, it’s hard to believe how far I’ve come from that dream of being an Aerospace Engineer. The world of aviation has shown me that the journey isn’t always linear—and that sometimes unconventional paths can lead to the most rewarding destinations. Now, as I sit in the cockpit of my Citation XLS, I can’t help but think about that 15-year-old version of me who didn’t know how to make his dream of flying a reality. But here I am, living it every day. To many more adventures and jets to come in the future.
If you’re out there wondering how to get started in aviation, know this: the skies are full of unexpected opportunities. Don’t be afraid to take the less-traveled route—it might just lead you to the career you never saw coming.
Cheers
